Calling for the 400-404 Link

bradfordtimes.ca
By Miriam King
Sept. 1, 2016

The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury continues to push the province to move forward with the Highway 400-404 link, also known as the Bradford Bypass - petitioning the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to enshrine the identified route of the Link as a “Future Transportation Corridor” within the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

“I think it’s important that the province acknowledges that the 400-404 Link is needed,” said Councillor Mark Contois.

“I really hope they take a look at this,” agreed Councillor Peter Ferragine. “Our town is so congested, I hope they take a look at this now, and not in the future.”

Mayor Rob Keffer said that York Region and South Simcoe Mayors continue to meet, “to plan the next steps,” and the importance of the Link for economic development. “We’ll be the crossroads of Central Ontario, if this Link goes through.”

Councillors suggested circulating the petition to other municipalities, asking for their support.

“This is a must,” said Councillor Peter Dykie Jr., noting that once the Sleeping Lion Subdivision is built in Innisfil, congestion on BWG roads will increase. “We need it. The sooner they move up this schedule...”

The issue was also raised in a special meeting of council, Aug. 9, that presented an update of the Holland St. Reconstruction project. The project proposes a make-over of Holland St. - reducing the number of lanes from four to two, and creating broader sidewalks, boulevards and landscaped areas. Concerns were raised over the issue of traffic congestion, especially since Holland-Bridge St. provides the only direct link between Simcoe County and York Region, and between northern York Region and the Hwy. 400.

Council brought its request to the AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) AGM and conference, Aug. 14-17 in Windsor, meeting with leaders of other municipalities, and with provincial representatives.

Deputy Mayor James Leduc raised the question in the opening session, with Premier Kathleen Wynn - and while the Ministers “just listened,” every MPP heard the comments on the need for the 400-404 Link, Keffer said. “We still have some more work to do. We’ll keep at it.”

Back in Bradford, Deputy Mayor Leduc suggested, “The buzz is out there. People are just wanting that 400-404 Link.” He encouraged residents to contact the Province, and “tell the government that you want the 400-404 Link.”

The 16.2 km. proposed controlled access highway would connect Hwy. 404 and Hwy. 400, running east-west north of the 8th Line BWG - and taking the pressure off Holland St. An Environmental Assessment for the project was completed in 2002 - before the province put it on a back burner.

Mayor Keffer also called on residents to use social media to support construction of the Link. “A public awareness campaign will be launched. Hopefully the County will be involved in that campaign,” he said - suggesting that the municipality might also launch a “government relations effort,” and hire a consultant “to push our message forward.”

“Hopefully Council will be in favour of this,” Keffer said. “The Environmental Assessment has been done. We do want to build this road properly and environmentally sustainably. It is necessary for the economic prosperity of southern Ontario.”

It was left to Councillor Peter Dykie Jr., in the August 23 meeting of Council, to sum up another key reason for the Link: “It’s hard to believe how backed up traffic is between Bradford and Newmarket, and it’s going to get worse.”